James + Jeffrey are two of the most fun and kind people I have had the pleasure of working with and I am so thankful that we are connected. From the moment we first FaceTimed to speak about the potential of working together, they had me laughing. The entire duration of their engagement session and of course their wedding day was pure joy, and it is evident that they spread that joy to others wherever they are. 

For several years James + Jeffrey maintained a long distance relationship, crossing the US/Canadian border every weekend to make it work. Last November, surrounded by their family and friends at the Gem Theater in Detroit, Michigan, they made their union official and became Husband + Husband. The festivities were complete with a traditional Chinese Tea Ceremony following an endearing and personalized exchange of vows. 

It was difficult to catch a moment not filled with laughter, which I am sure is a testament to the beautiful life these guys will share together. Congratulations James + Jeffrey, love you both!

This had been a long awaited wedding day. When I first met Ashley + Sierra, we were sitting in a sushi restaurant in Savannah, GA just before their engagement session. They made the special trip up from Florida specifically for the session and to become better aqauinted. Learning about them, their work and their studies and their aspirations, I was completely floored that they would choose me to be their photographer. 

Thankfully, months prior, they had come across images of mine that had been featured on Rock and Roll Bride starring a transgender couple. Ashley + Sierra specifically sought out female vendors closely aligned with the LGBT community to work with on their big day, and being on that list of professionals was truly an honor. 

Ashley + Sierra invited their close friends and family to join them in Boston, where they met, to say I do. Prior to walking down the isle, the roller derby coaches strapped on their skates and zoomed up and down the street. Their ceremony was officiated by Ashley’s stepdad and was by far one of the most beautiful and emotional ceremonies I have had the privilege of witnessing. Thankful to be a part of this union and this perfect day and cannot wait to see what is next for these amazing women. 

Also, just wanted to quickly point out that on top of how awesome this day already was, Ashley + Sierra had their guests choose where a donation could be made versus giving out wedding favors. The three organizations they chose to support were Planned Parenthood, The Lesbian Herstory Archives, and The Ali Forney Center. All incredible missions, and so cool to add giving back to a celebration.

Be sure to check out their wedding film, created by Refracted Film at the bottom of the post.

I met Eric & Kris at Eric’s sister’s wedding (remember Issa & Jaime from last year) and was super excited when they contacted me to photograph their celebration at Bells Brewery in Kalamazoo. What made this wedding even more incredible than it was already planned to be was that the ban on gay marriage lifted the day prior and Eric & Kris were the first gay couple in the state of Michigan to legally tie the knot. 

This is the second wedding I have shot for the Braman family and I am 100% convinced that they are magic. I have fallen totally in love with their closeness, the love that they have for each other, their endless casual family choreographed dances, and the work that they do with LGBT youth. Being a witness to their stories has been an honor and a blessing. 

"We are people who believe every child is entitled to life and liberty and the pursuit of happiness. There is so much more work to be done to extend the full promise of America to every American. But today, we can say in no uncertain terms that we’ve made our union a little more perfect. That’s the consequence of a decision from the Supreme Court, but more importantly, it is a consequence of the countless small acts of courage of millions of people across decades who stood up, who came out, talked to parents, parents who loved their children no matter what, folks who were willing to endure bullying and taunts, and stayed strong, and came to believe in themselves and who they were.

And slowly made an entire country realize that love is love.” -President Barack Obama